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Old 10 January 2018, 06:02 AM   #1
chris nyc
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PAM 233 vs PAM 312

So i've owned a 312 in the past and enjoyed it for quite some time. When it came time to sell it, I had decided it was a little too tall for my liking. I wore it in rotation with a 000. Both were sold and i went big with a 422 and a 305.

Now I'm back to wanting a 44 again and I'm considering a 233 or a 1088. I'm leaning towards the more classic look of the 233, but I'm hesitating somewhat because of the 1950's case.

How different does it wear and feel on the wrist than a 312? One is manual vs automatic, domed crystal vs regular.

Any opinions are welcomed... I don't want to regret a 233. The 88 has always been a favorite and the luminor case sits nicely on the writst. helppppppppppppp

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Old 10 January 2018, 06:15 AM   #2
Cru Jones
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The 233 has a 1950 case, but it's a manual, so it's thinner. Best to try one on, but I've only read that it wears quite well. It's a Panerai staple and you can't go wrong.

The 88 also happens to be an all-time favorite of mine, so you've got a hard (but enviable) choice.

I'd say, all things being equal and if funds aren't an issue, go 233, unless you simply prefer the 88.
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Old 10 January 2018, 07:06 AM   #3
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As Cru said, go try them on see which ever fits best on your wrist, if I was going to buy I’ll be the Pam 233 it’s one of the best ones out there.
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Old 10 January 2018, 09:15 AM   #4
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233 def wears less tall than 312. 233 has better balance, better looks, better mov’t, better watch. :)
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Old 10 January 2018, 11:33 AM   #5
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233 & 312 have the same 1950 case but the 312 with the p9000 movement sits a bit taller on the wrist.

try then on then decide. also find an 88 instead of an 1088....good luck
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Old 10 January 2018, 02:22 PM   #6
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For me I would definitely go 233 as that model oozes OFFICINE PANERAI lol
The 88 or 1088 is a bit busy to me.

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Old 10 January 2018, 03:26 PM   #7
Ruud Van Driver
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My 737 has the domed crystal a la 233 and is also a manual wind and seems to wear much smaller than my other two. Try them both as others have said but the 233 is an icon.
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Old 10 January 2018, 10:22 PM   #8
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233 all the way. Its a classic.
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Old 10 January 2018, 10:55 PM   #9
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Pics anyone ? Can’t make a decision without pics ...
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Old 11 January 2018, 01:24 AM   #10
chris nyc
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Thanks for all the replies. I also was told by an ad that the 233 is now discontinued officially. Is that true?! Maybe values go up as they become less available?!


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Current Stable: PAM 64, 87, 170, 82, 1216, 968, 508

Gone but not forgotten: PAM 233, PAM 1389, PAM 690, PAM 654, PAM 176, PAM 000, PAM 312, PAM 305, PAM 422, Rolex DSSD, Rolex TT Sub Bluesy
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Old 11 January 2018, 01:26 AM   #11
chris nyc
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My other issue is that the 233 I’m looking at is not local and I can’t try it on... :( 1088 I can try and have tried in the past.


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Current Stable: PAM 64, 87, 170, 82, 1216, 968, 508

Gone but not forgotten: PAM 233, PAM 1389, PAM 690, PAM 654, PAM 176, PAM 000, PAM 312, PAM 305, PAM 422, Rolex DSSD, Rolex TT Sub Bluesy
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Old 12 January 2018, 03:32 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jwkunkle View Post
233 def wears less tall than 312. 233 has better balance, better looks, better mov’t, better watch. :)
+1

233 sits significantly lower than 312.
I chose 233 over 270 because of that...
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Old 12 January 2018, 02:06 PM   #13
Ruud Van Driver
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris nyc View Post
Thanks for all the replies. I also was told by an ad that the 233 is now discontinued officially. Is that true?! Maybe values go up as they become less available?!


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It's still available on the website, so I very much doubt that it's been discontinued.

Apart from that discontinuing the 233 could be commercial suicide.
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Old 12 January 2018, 06:33 PM   #14
chris nyc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver View Post
It's still available on the website, so I very much doubt that it's been discontinued.



Apart from that discontinuing the 233 could be commercial suicide.


Well I was told by a well respected AD that there’s one left at Panerai and to order it quickly. Easy to find out for sure with a call to Panerai, but why would he lie to me like that and risk his reputation?


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Current Stable: PAM 64, 87, 170, 82, 1216, 968, 508

Gone but not forgotten: PAM 233, PAM 1389, PAM 690, PAM 654, PAM 176, PAM 000, PAM 312, PAM 305, PAM 422, Rolex DSSD, Rolex TT Sub Bluesy
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Old 12 January 2018, 11:14 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by superstarmar View Post
Pics anyone ? Can’t make a decision without pics ...

Happy to assist :)





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Old 13 January 2018, 03:08 AM   #16
s14roller
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris nyc View Post
Well I was told by a well respected AD that there’s one left at Panerai and to order it quickly. Easy to find out for sure with a call to Panerai, but why would he lie to me like that and risk his reputation?


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Same reason Rolex ADs will swear a price increase is coming...who knows.

I have not heard if it's been disco'ed or not, although if so buying it used will still be an option. As for your question, I have been between a 88, 312, and 233 in the past and the 233 is the winner hands down for me. The 1950 case, power reserve, and that sexy domed glass...
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Old 13 January 2018, 05:07 AM   #17
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233 gets my vote.
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Old 13 January 2018, 08:38 AM   #18
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Of the 233 vs 88,I'd pick 233 any days,it's a classic that embodies the Pam DNA

Maybe pam is giving 233 the due treatment,with double digit WR,snap back and spring bar....

If you think 88 is comfy,you gotta try the older 2893 based pams (23,29,63) personally I find 23 to be the comfiest SS gmt auto pam I've tried
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Old 13 January 2018, 09:15 AM   #19
itsjknight
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I’m going to go against the grain here and suggest you get the 88 since you already know you like it. I’ve owned the 233 dot dial several times and it just didn’t sing to me. I think it’s a fantastic watch and love all the complications but I just prefer the regular Luminor case in 44mm.
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Old 13 January 2018, 09:46 AM   #20
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What about the 1312?
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Old 16 January 2018, 06:44 PM   #21
chris nyc
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What about the 1312?

Not a fan... had a 312



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Current Stable: PAM 64, 87, 170, 82, 1216, 968, 508

Gone but not forgotten: PAM 233, PAM 1389, PAM 690, PAM 654, PAM 176, PAM 000, PAM 312, PAM 305, PAM 422, Rolex DSSD, Rolex TT Sub Bluesy
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Old 17 January 2018, 09:17 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris nyc View Post
So i've owned a 312 in the past and enjoyed it for quite some time. When it came time to sell it, I had decided it was a little too tall for my liking. I wore it in rotation with a 000. Both were sold and i went big with a 422 and a 305.

Now I'm back to wanting a 44 again and I'm considering a 233 or a 1088. I'm leaning towards the more classic look of the 233, but I'm hesitating somewhat because of the 1950's case.

How different does it wear and feel on the wrist than a 312? One is manual vs automatic, domed crystal vs regular.

Any opinions are welcomed... I don't want to regret a 233. The 88 has always been a favorite and the luminor case sits nicely on the writst. helppppppppppppp

I think that the 233 would go great with your 305. I love the pair.
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Old 17 January 2018, 09:24 AM   #23
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Happy to assist :)





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Love your gray strap! I have the Gunny grey
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File Type: jpg panerai 233 gunny grey 2.jpg (240.5 KB, 548 views)
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Old 18 January 2018, 12:48 AM   #24
chris nyc
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I think that the 233 would go great with your 305. I love the pair.
It certainly would make a nice duo, however, I think I'm done with 47's for a while. I've got the 305 listed FS right now. :(
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Current Stable: PAM 64, 87, 170, 82, 1216, 968, 508

Gone but not forgotten: PAM 233, PAM 1389, PAM 690, PAM 654, PAM 176, PAM 000, PAM 312, PAM 305, PAM 422, Rolex DSSD, Rolex TT Sub Bluesy
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Old 26 November 2018, 03:17 AM   #25
RG1976
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Can anyone tell me if the numbering on the 1312 has changed from white (like the 233 still has) to a yellowish colour recently? When I look at older models of the 312 they have a lovely white colouring on the numbers and markers compared to what I have seen on the Panerai web for the new model. Thanks
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Old 26 November 2018, 11:53 AM   #26
blacke90
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I can't answer your question. Maybe call one of the boutiques and get them to take a pic and then text it to you?

Quote:
Originally Posted by RG1976 View Post
Can anyone tell me if the numbering on the 1312 has changed from white (like the 233 still has) to a yellowish colour recently? When I look at older models of the 312 they have a lovely white colouring on the numbers and markers compared to what I have seen on the Panerai web for the new model. Thanks
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Old 26 November 2018, 09:30 PM   #27
Ruud Van Driver
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris nyc View Post
Well I was told by a well respected AD that there’s one left at Panerai and to order it quickly. Easy to find out for sure with a call to Panerai, but why would he lie to me like that and risk his reputation?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The 233 is still on the Panerai website almost a year down the line. Either your AD was very badly informed or he was BS-ing you.

You pull the trigger on anything yet?
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Old 26 November 2018, 11:09 PM   #28
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I don't own the 233, but it wears almost unlike any other 44mm Panerai that I have tried on. I really can't describe it; it's different than other 44mm 1950 cases. It's a thinner case, has depth to it, wears smaller, but has the domed crystal. It just has a unique look that can't be summed up in pictures. At a glance it seems similar to the 312/1312, but when you see it in person, you'll know instantly what I mean.
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Old 30 November 2018, 04:09 PM   #29
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get the 233. The "dot" is the best version but you would have to get it used. Like others said the DOME crystal is really special and very unique on a 44mm luminor. the 1950 brushed case has more sleek lines vs. the betrani case. manual case will sit lower on the wrist and the 233 looks great with many different straps from gators to ammos and can be dressed up and down.
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Old 30 November 2018, 05:13 PM   #30
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233 !!
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